Auto Trader's 2019 Auto Trader Retailer Awards is open for entries 12 years after its begun celebrating the UK’s very best car dealers at its prestigious annual celebration.

The UK’s largest digital automotive marketplace, with an average of 55 million multi-platform visits each month, billed the annual event is an “extremely effective way for retailers to demonstrate their excellence to potential car buyers” as it sought entries for two self-nominated awards categories. 

Taking place at Eight Northumberland Avenue, just off London’s Trafalgar Square, on July 18, this year’s Awards will consist of seven categories, including the Business Initiative of the Year award and the new-for-2019 People and Culture award.

Each will be judged by an independent panel of experts, including senior executives from global advertising agency, The Specialist Works, and KPMG, one of the ‘Big Four’ global professional service companies.

Auto Trader’s group sales director, Darren Moon, said: “In today’s challenging and competitive market it’s hard for even the most exceptional retailers to stand out in the crowd.

“As one of the UK’s most recognised and respected brands, having an Auto Trader Retailer Award trophy in your showroom, along with the prestigious winner’s logo promoted across your digital forecourt, is one of the most effective ways to attract and build trust with an increasingly savvy car buyer.”

Robin Luscombe, managing director of Luscombe Motors, which won the Retailer of the Year Award, and Customer Choice Award last year, said: “We’re all about building trust and confidence with the consumer and winning an independent award, especially from a brand like Auto Trader which is so well known with our customers, really does make a huge difference.

“It’s also a source of pride for our colleagues; we know we were up against some fantastic other businesses, so to win on the night and to receive recognition for all of our hard work was an amazing experience for all of us.”

The bulk of the 2019 Auto Trader Retailer Awards determined either by the opinions of thousands of car buyers, from an in-depth analysis of millions of data points, or a comprehensive mystery shopping programme.

Among the awards set to be issued on the night are: Retailer of the Year Award; Digital Excellence Award; Customer Experience Award; Customer Choice Award; and Rising Star Award.

Retailers are being urged to enter themselves for the two new awards, however.

The Business Initiative of the Year is designed to showcase an exceptional project, campaign or strategy that met an operational challenge or a business objective, e.g. a marketing campaign to attract new customers; a data management system to increase forecourt efficiencies; or a new CRM system to engage with customers more strategically.

The People and Culture award is a new category for 2019. The judges are looking for a business that places as much focus and commitment on their colleagues and their working environment as they do their customers.

Whether it’s a new reward and recognition initiative; a learning and development programme; or evidence of a diversity and inclusion strategy, if your business prioritises your people, the judges want to hear about it.

For further information, including the award criteria, please visit the Auto Trader Retailer Awards website www.autotraderretailerawards.co.uk